The Moruno tomato, which is grown in Spain, has twice the normal levels of cancer-fighting lycopene and a higher vitamin C content than other varieties
By Luke Salkeld
KOMPAS.com - Is there nothing the humble tomato can't do? Not satisfied with being a hangover cure, a good source of vitamin C and great for your skin, the little red fruit is now tackling cancer.
Touted as a 'super superfood' for its ability to reduce the risk of prostate cancer, the Moruno tomato has twice the normal levels of a natural cancer-fighting substance and as much vitamin C as a similar-sized orange. And, from today, it's all yours for £1.50 for a 280g pack in the Tesco Finest range.
The Moruno, which took Spanish scientists two years to develop and is the result of cross-breeding 2,000 varieties, has double levels of lycopene, which gives tomatoes their red colour, and which scientists have linked to a reduced risk of prostate cancer.
Lycopene is more easily absorbed into the bloodstream when the tomatoes are cooked with certain oils, such as olive oil.
In a recent study, more than 1,000 men with prostate cancer had their post-diagnosis diets examined. Patients who had tomato sauce more than twice a week had a 44 per cent lower risk of the disease spreading.
The cancer is less likely to spread when patients ate large amounts of tomatoes and oily fish, according to American researchers.
Tesco's tomato buyer Ashleigh McWilliams said yesterday: 'Tomatoes are already considered superfoods because they have so many health giving qualities. However, the Moruno, because of its very high lycopene and vitamin C levels, may actually qualify as being the first super superfood.'
She added: 'Tomatoes have naturally high levels of lycopene, but this naturally-bred are genetically programmed to age at a faster rate.' variety has double the level of standard ones.
'But besides its exceptional nutritional content, the Moruno tastes great and has thick, juicy flesh. And, gram for gram, it has as much vitamin C as an orange.'
Last week scientists unveiled a tomato which is said to stay fresh for 45 days - three times longer than the conventional version. Researchers 'turned off' the genes linked to the production of ripening enzymes.
The researchers believe the same process could be applied to other fruits, but the need for extensive safety testing means it will be years before the GM fruits go on sale in British supermarkets, if ever.
Tomato Facts
A laboratory study found that lycopene has a similar effect to the cholesterol-lowering drugs, statins.
Tomatoes contain high levels of beta-carotene, an antioxidant that supports the immune system and helps maintain healthy skin and tissue lining. They are packed with antioxidant flavonoids and vitamin E, both of which are essential for heart health, and are a good source of potassium.
One medium-size tomato provides 50 per cent of the recommended daily dose of vitamin C.
Analysis of the Mediterranean diet suggested that cooking tomatoes with olive oil further improves their potency.
Lycopene and beta-carotene are broken down by heating, and are soluble in oil but not water, so cooking tomatoes in olive oil prepares these beneficial chemicals perfectly for absorption by the body.
Other research suggests that lycopene may enhance chemical communication between the cells, which helps to regulate unusual cell growth and may even reverse the process by which a tumour becomes malignant. Tomatoes are also rich in the antioxidant lutein, which is believed to protect the retina from free radical damage.
A laboratory study found that lycopene has a similar effect to the cholesterol-lowering drugs, statins.
Tomatoes contain high levels of beta-carotene, an antioxidant that supports the immune system and helps maintain healthy skin and tissue lining. They are packed with antioxidant flavonoids and vitamin E, both of which are essential for heart health, and are a good source of potassium.
One medium-size tomato provides 50 per cent of the recommended daily dose of vitamin C.
Analysis of the Mediterranean diet suggested that cooking tomatoes with olive oil further improves their potency.
Lycopene and beta-carotene are broken down by heating, and are soluble in oil but not water, so cooking tomatoes in olive oil prepares these beneficial chemicals perfectly for absorption by the body.
Other research suggests that lycopene may enhance chemical communication between the cells, which helps to regulate unusual cell growth and may even reverse the process by which a tumour becomes malignant. Tomatoes are also rich in the antioxidant lutein, which is believed to protect the retina from free radical damage.
